Special Olympics PEI believes the well-being of everyone involved in our organization is a foremost consideration and in particular, the protection of our athletes is the responsibility of each individual and member in the Special Olympics PEI community.
Special Olympics PEI embraces our responsibility to create, foster, and preserve sport settings that ensure positive, healthy, and fulfilling experiences for all individuals regardless of what level or position they participate. Athletes, coaches, officials and volunteers have the right to participate in a safe, healthy, inclusive, and fun environments that are free of abuse, harassment or discrimination.
The Canadian Sport Helpline, funded by the Government of Canada, is a listening and referral service for victims and witness monitored by live operators from 8 am to 8 pm Eastern time, 7 days a week. Users will have a choice of communicating via a toll-free phone line, email, text or live chat, in the official language of their choice. It is a safe space to share or obtain information regarding harassment, abuse, and discrimination in sport. A team of practitioners with expertise in counselling, psychology, and sport act as operators of the helpline. The Helpline website (click banner below) also includes other resources to help (e.g. Kids Help Phone, the Game Plan, etc.).
Safe Sport Policies
Independent Third Party
As of September 2022, Special Olympics PEI has formally identified an independent third party (ITP) for complaints. As such, complaints regarding alleged violations for those participants that fall under the Special Olympics PEI’s code of conduct should be reported via the identified ITP.
Report HerE
Reporting Abuse or Harassment is often a difficult process. To this end, a person can expect the following when contacting the Independent Third Party:
- All reports will be kept entirely confidential, in line with the wishes of the person making the complaint. This includes confidentiality from SOC staff.
- Complaint will be followed up on in a timely manner.
- The Independent Third Party is available to support persons making a complaint through the process and will provide advice and guidance on steps as and if a Complaint proceeds.
- Complaint will be taken seriously, and rigorously examined.
- Complaint will be managed in the language, and by an officer of the gender identity of your choice.
- Should any complaint or concern come to the attention of the CEO or any SOC representative, it will be forwarded to the Independent Third Party.
Additional Resources
Responsible Coaching Movement
Special Olympics PEI is proud to declare we have taken the Responsible Coaching Movement (RCM) pledge which is a call to action for sport organizations, parents, and coaches to enact responsible coaching across Canada – on and off the field. Our organization is committed to the Three Steps to Responsible Coaching, by practicing the Rule of Two, completing Background Checks, and ensuring coaches/volunteers complete Ethics Training. The Responsible Coaching Movement helps participants and coaches benefit fully from sport participation in a safe, healthy, and fun environment.
Safe Sport Training
This is training on harassment and abuse for everyone involved in sport: decision makers, those with direct athlete contact (including caregivers), and those with no direct athlete contact. Certified coaches are also eligible for Professional Development points toward their maintenance of their certification.
This course will help you:
- Understand that everyone has a role to play in keeping sport safe, how the misuse of power leads to maltreatment, and the principles of the Universal Code of Conduct.
- Understand the various types of maltreatment, the conditions that enable them, and how to recognize signs that they may be happening.
- Know what to do if you suspect maltreatment, and how you can create a culture that protects all participants.
Abuse Free Sport
The Abuse Free Sport.Ca website makes available a list of links to some resources dedicated to the prevention of abuse, harassment and discrimination, as well as victim support services.
Priority Kids
Priority Kids training includes a free service called Walk the Talk to identify best practices that are in place, and simple steps that organizations can take now keep members safe. Next, evidence-informed prevention training is provided so that the entire leadership team is prepared and confident. Then, they stay connected with further training and policy development support, when requested. The training helps us focus on the simple steps that we can take today to protect the children in your community. Participants come away with the ability to recognize organizational practices that help keep children safe, and the motivation to speak up to protect children. Together, we can, and we will eradicate childhood sexual abuse.
Concussion Awareness Resources
Special Olympics Canada recognizes that participation in any sport or physical activity has some risk of head injuries, including concussions. The information on this page will help you learn more about concussions and how Special Olympics Canada and its Chapters are addressing concussions to support the health and safety of all our athletes and volunteers.
A concussion is a type of brain injury that affects how a person’s brain functions. Special Olympics Canada suggests the resources below to learn more about concussions and how to prevent, recognize and manage these injuries.
FOR PARENTS/GUARDIANS
Concussion Awareness Training Tool (CATT) for Parents and Caregivers E-Learning
FOR PARENTS/GUARDIANS
NCCP Making Head Way in Special Olympics
